General News
20 October, 2026
Medical centre board dismisses staff concerns
RUMOURS over the resignation of unhappy staff and accusations of bullying at the Mareeba Medical Centre have been dismissed by its governing board, as an anonymous social media post was removed from Facebook last week.
Mareeba and Community Family Healthcare (MCFH) board chairman Ross Cardillo said the board was “concerned and dismayed at the speculation, opinions and systemic innuendo that has appeared in sections of social media with respect to the Mareeba Medical Clinic and recent activities”.
A post last week on the Mareeba Community Noticeboard raised questions over the apparent resignation of multiple employees from the centre, and that an investigation should be held into the circumstances.
“Answers are needed to quash the rumours relating to the bullying and incompetence by the director and senior management of the governing committee,” the post said.
Another anonymous comment said: “three nurses, five receptionists, and four doctors have all resigned as a direct result of toxic behaviour from the board of directors”.
Other comments drew criticism on the anonymity of the post and rumour-mongering, while others added support for the medical staff at the centre, saying they were “lovely” and “fantastic”.
Within days the post was removed with a notification that anonymous posts would no longer be accepted.
The Express asked the board to confirm whether there had been 12 resignations and over what period of time, whether the clinic’s management structure had caused issues, and if so, what was being done to address them.
Mr Cardillo said while the board did not “normally respond to ‘trial by social media and people who do not want to be clearly identified’”, on this occasion it would respond to the newspaper’s queries.
The board had held its regular board meeting last Thursday and approved the following response by Mr Cardillo.
“Like any other business or professional entity, there are various staff changes from time to time in Mareeba Medical Centre and also elsewhere across the Mareeba CBD,” he said.
“Retirements, other opportunities and lifestyle needs often result in staff changes as do other reasons.
“As for reported resignations of doctors, it should be remembered that in past decades … Drs Madell, Sinnathamby, Panter, etc, all have owned and occupied private medical practices in Mareeba, and for one reason or another chose to leave the district.
“Without the advent of social media and the ever-creative gossips, speculators and self-appointed ‘experts’ on social media, there was no published nor alleged outcry back then as there is now.
“History and facts have proved time and again that change is a constant part of life, business, medical practices and employment in other fields as time goes on.”
Mr Cardillo said the board was made up of responsible local residents operating a not-for-profit medical practice “endeavouring to improve staffing in our operations to meet current and future demands as part of our charter”.
“This has proved successful with Dr Ahmed Ali, Dr Fatma Ali and Dr Nathan Walmsley, Practice Manager Tennille Falappi, General Manager Gail Wason and Nursing and relevant administration and other staff being employed” he said.
For personal privacy reasons and because it was “patently improper” he would not identify anyone who might or might not have chosen to resign.
He said the board was made aware of allegations but they “had not been placed before the board or myself”.
“If such did occur, investigations and subsequent legal processes would begin in response to such allegations and other actions based on fact, not hearsay,” he said.
“Anyone seeking such information should obtain it from appropriate sources, not social media, nor the columns of the local newspaper.”
